February 6, St. Paul Miki and companions

Lord, teach me your statutes.-- Psalm 119:12

Mass readings: 1 Kings 3:4-13 / Mark 6:30-34

Did It Make a Difference?

Today we honor the martyrs Brother Paul Miki and his unnamed companions who gave the ultimate: their lives. But sometimes I wonder: Was it worth it? I mean, Christianity didn't take hold in Japan because of their deaths in the way we would expect. But is that the only goal? Would they have been considered failures in our society?

Fortunately, God works by His rules, outside our time and space, not via any bottom line. Rarely will we know the results of our labors. The fruits of a good deed, a nice word, may be forever hidden. Our culture is result oriented. There is this profit motive dictating one's actions and success -- nothing in between. Our Christianity must rise above what's perceived as successful.

Prayer: Help me to remember, Lord, that Christianity stands apart from any bottom line.